Multidirectional input device and electronic apparatus comprising it

ABSTRACT

A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer  18,  first conductive layer  22  and second conductive layer  23  shaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer  18,  and knob  14  having ring-shaped protruded section  14 D. Resistance element layer  18  has at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate  16.  Protruded section  14 D brings resistance element layer  18  into contact with first conductive layer  22  or second conductive layer  23  when the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layer  18  comes in contact with first conductive layer  22  or second conductive layer  23,  so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a multidirectional input deviceand an electronic apparatus using the same. The multidirectional inputdevice is used for inputting and controlling of an electronic apparatus,e.g., a cellular phone, an information terminal, a game apparatus, aremote controller.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A conventional multidirectional input device disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Non-Examined Publication No. H10-125180 isdescribed hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 36, 37 and 38. FIG. 36shows a sectional view of a multidirectional control switch as anelectronic component used in a multidirectional input device, and FIG.37 shows an exploded perspective view of the switch. In FIGS. 36, 37 and38, domed contact 2 made of thin elastic metal plate is placed in acenter of box-shaped casing 1 made of insulated resin. Four outer fixedcontacts 3 conduct each other and are placed on inner bottom ofbox-shaped casing 1. A rim of domed moving contact 2 rests on outerfixed contacts 3. Independent four inner-fixed contacts 4 (4A, 4B, 4C,4D) are located inside of outer fixed contacts 3. Four inner-fixedcontacts 4 are equidistant and equiangular from a center of domed movingcontact 2. Output terminals (not shown) conducted to respective contacts4 electrically are located outside of box-shaped casing 1.

[0003] An opening of top surface of box-shaped casing 1 is covered withcover 5. Operating section 6 is formed of frame 6A and flange 6B. Flange6B is incorporated beneath frame 6A. Frame 6A protrudes fromthrough-hole 5A, which is punched at the center of cover 5. Flange 6Bdoes not rotate but can tilt, because perimeter of flange 6B is matedwith inner wall 1A of box-shaped casing 1. Flange 6B has four pressingsections 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, (7D is not shown)) corresponding to fourinner-fixed contacts 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) beneath its lower surface. Fourpressing sections 7 come in contact with upper surfaces of domed movingcontact 2, and an upper surface of flange 6B is pressed by a lowersurface of cover 5. As a result, operating section 6 stands verticallyto a bottom of box-shaped casing 1 and takes a neutral position(hereinafter it is called vertical-neutral position).

[0004] As shown with an arrow mark in FIG. 38, when upper left side ofknob 8 put on frame 6A is pressed, operating section 6 is fulcrumed atupper right side of flange 6B and tilts from the vertical-neutralposition of FIG. 36. Pressing sections 7A presses domed moving contact2, so that a part of contact 2 bows downward resiliently. Domed movingcontact 2 comes in contact with inner-fixed contact 4A, and contact 4Ashorts with outer fixed contacts 3. As a result, the multidirectionalcontrol switch is turned ON and an electric signal is supplied tooutside via respective output terminals. When pressure of knob 8 isremoved, operating section 6 returns to the original vertical-neutralposition by elastic restoring force of domed moving contact 2. Outerfixed contacts 3 and inner-fixed contact 4A are separated and themultidirectional control switch is turned OFF.

[0005] A multidirectional device using the multidirectional controlswitch supplies an electric signal to a microprocessor for calculation,thereby recognizing an input direction and outputting a signalresponsive to the direction, where the electric signal shows which ofinner-fixed contacts 4 is connected to outer fixed contacts 3.

[0006] In the conventional multidirectional control switch, the numberof directions can be input (resolution of input directions) depends onthe number of inner-fixed contacts 4. Because domed moving contact 2bows downward resiliently and comes in contact with contacts 4 whenoperating section 6 is tilted by knob 8. Since an electronic apparatusbecomes downsized recently, electronic components used in the apparatusare required to be smaller. The conventional switch is difficult toincrease the number of inner-fixed contacts 4 more than four, becausethe component should be smaller and a high resolution as well as stableoperation is required.

[0007] Resolution of eight directions is obtainable as follows.Operating section 6 tilts toward the middle between inner-fixed contacts4, and both of adjacent contacts 4 become simultaneously ON within agiven time. Switch-recognizing means for recognizing simultaneous ONstate is formed of a microprocessor and recognizes the differencebetween the simultaneous ON state and an individual ON state byrespective four inner-fixed contacts 4 as a different signal. In thiscase, resolution of eight directions is obtained, but this is themaximum resolution by the conventional method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses the problem discussed above, andaims to provide a multidirectional input device and an electronicapparatus using the same. The multidirectional input device can be smallenough to be used in an apparatus downsized recently and has a highresolution of input direction.

[0009] The multidirectional input device of this invention includes thefollowing elements:

[0010] (a) a ring-shaped resistance element layer formed on aninsulating substrate,

[0011] (b) a conductive section disposed on a plane substrate which isspaced from said resistance element layer at a given insulating space,

[0012] (c) an operating section for bringing the resistance elementlayer into contact with the conductive section partially,

[0013] When the insulating substrate or the plane substrate is pressedusing the operating section, the resistance element layer comes incontact with the conductive section partially. If a given voltage isapplied to the resistance element layer at that time, themultidirectional input device can detect the contacted position using asignal obtained at the conductive section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the multidirectionalinput device used in the cellular phone in accordance with the firstembodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outlook of the cellularphone in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a schematic view illustrating a structure of themultidirectional input device used in the cellular phone in accordancewith the first embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along line P-P in FIG. 3.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a graph showing an output voltage of themultidirectional input device in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe invention.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of an electronicapparatus using the multidirectional input device in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a contact-point ofthe multidirectional input device in accordance with the firstembodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a contact-point taken along line Q-Qin FIG. 5.

[0023]FIG. 10 shows a plan view of an assembled contact-point in whichis shown discretely in FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0025]FIG. 12 shows a schematic view illustrating a structure of themultidirectional input device used in the cellular phone in accordancewith the second embodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a pressed and tilted knob usedin the cellular phone in accordance with the second embodiment of theinvention.

[0027]FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0028]FIG. 15 shows an exploded perspective view of the multidirectionalinput device used in the cellular phone in accordance with the thirdembodiment of the invention.

[0029]FIG. 16 shows a schematic view illustrating a structure of themultidirectional input device used in the cellular phone in accordancewith the third embodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a pressed and tilted knob usedin the cellular phone in accordance with the third embodiment of theinvention.

[0031]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a pressed switch used in thecellular phone in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a pressed and tilted knob usedin the cellular phone in accordance with the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

[0034]FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a further pressed and tiltedknob used in the cellular phone in accordance with the fourth embodimentof the invention.

[0035]FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a pressed switch used in thecellular phone in accordance with the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

[0036]FIG. 23 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 24 shows an exploded perspective view of the multidirectionalinput device used in the electronic apparatus in accordance with thefifth embodiment of the invention.

[0038]FIG. 25 shows a top view of a component casing containing themultidirectional input device as a main part of the electronic apparatusin accordance with the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0039]FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing a tilted operating sectionused in the electronic apparatus in accordance with the fifth embodimentof the invention.

[0040]FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a pressed operating sectionused in the electronic apparatus in accordance with the fifth embodimentof the invention.

[0041]FIG. 28 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]FIG. 29 shows an exploded perspective view of the multidirectionalinput device used in the electronic apparatus in accordance with thesixth embodiment of the invention.

[0043]FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing a tilted operating sectionused in the electronic apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodimentof the invention.

[0044]FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a pressed operating sectionused in the electronic apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodimentof the invention.

[0045]FIG. 32 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 33 shows a top view of an operating section as a main part ofthe electronic apparatus in accordance with the seventh embodiment ofthe invention.

[0047]FIG. 34 is a sectional view showing a slid operating section usedin the electronic apparatus in accordance with the seventh embodiment ofthe invention.

[0048]FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing a pressed operating sectionused in the electronic apparatus in accordance with the seventhembodiment of the invention.

[0049]FIG. 36 shows a sectional view of a conventional multidirectionalcontrol switch as a multidirectional input component used in amultidirectional input device.

[0050]FIG. 37 shows an exploded perspective view of the conventionalmultidirectional control switch.

[0051]FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing a tilted operating section ofthe conventional multidirectional control switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are demonstratedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 35.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 1

[0053] The first exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an essential part of amultidirectional input device used in a cellular phone in accordancewith the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2shows an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device.In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, plane printed circuit substrate 13 having wiringin multi-layers is accommodated between top casing 11 and bottom casing12, and retained by bottom casing 12. Upper surface 14A of knob 14 (anoperating section) protrudes from circular-through-hole 11A, which ispunched at a given position of top casing 11, and the upper surface oftop casing 11 is an operating area. Fixed contact 15 used for switchesof various functions are disposed on printed circuit substrate 13.

[0055] Protrusion 14B at the center of lower surface of knob 14 comes incontact with printed circuit substrate 13 via flexible insulatingsubstrate 16 and spacer 16A located under substrate 16, so that knob 14is retained and can tilt to every direction. Knob 14 standssubstantially vertical to substrate 16 by energising force ofring-shaped flat spring 17, where flat spring 17 is disposed between anupper surface of perimeter of flange 14C and a lower surface ofperimeter of through-hole 11A, and bows up and down resiliently. In thisstate, ring-shaped protruded section 14D beneath knob 14 comes incontact with an upper surface of flexible insulating substrate 16solidly. The center of section 14D and that of protrusion 14B are thesame position, and substrate 16 is disposed on printed circuit substrate13.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 isprinted on a lower surface of flexible insulating substrate 16, wherelayer 18 has an uniform surface resistance and a ring-width of layer 18is uniform. Good conductors (electrodes) 18C and 18D, which have givenwidths, are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of layer 18.A pair of leads 18A and 18B is routed from good conductors 18C and 18D.Leads 18A and 18B are routed to respective terminals 19A and 19B formedon the corner of substrate 16. Terminals 19A and 19B are pressed fromthe upper surface of substrate 16 by pressing spring 20 and are kept incontact with connection points 21A and 21B on printed circuit substrate13. A radius of ring-shaped protruded section 14D beneath knob 14 isdesigned to be substantially equal to a middle value between a radius ofinternal ring and that of external ring of resistance element layer 18,and flexible insulating substrate 16 is bonded to printed circuitsubstrate 13 as mentioned. Two insulating spacers 16B which have giventhickness are placed on printed circuit substrate 13, such that spacers16B corresponds to internal ring and external ring of resistance elementlayer 18, so that parts of layer 18 are spaced from printed circuitsubstrate 13 at a given distance. First conductive layer 22 and secondconductive layer 23 are disposed on printed circuit substrate 13corresponding to resistance element layer 18. Insulating spacer 16B canbe also placed on flexible insulating substrate 16. First conductivelayer 22 and second conductive layer 23, which are insulated each otherby two insulating sections 24A and 24B, shape in arcs having wide widthsand have respective leads 22A and 23A. Insulating sections 24A and 24Bcorrespond to a pair of electrodes 18C and 18D of resistance elementlayer 18.

[0057] Widths of two insulating sections 24A and 24B are narrower thanthose of electrodes 18C and 18D of resistance element layer 18. As shownin FIG. 4, leads 22A and 23A are connected to microprocessor 25 includedin the cellular phone via multi-wiring section (not shown) of printedcircuit substrate 13.

[0058] The multidirectional input device used in the cellular phone inaccordance with the embodiment is formed as described above. As shown inFIG. 2, a switch of the cellular phone is formed of fixed contact 15,moving contact 26 and switch 27. When switch 27 exposed from smallaperture 11B of top casing 11 is pressed, the cellular phone isoperated.

[0059] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outlook of the cellularphone in accordance with the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a schematicview illustrating a structure of the multidirectional input device usedin the cellular phone in accordance with the first embodiment. As shownin FIG. 4, a given DC voltage is applied between lead 18A and lead 18Bof resistance element layer 18 beneath flexible insulating substrate 16via connection points 21A and 21B on printed circuit substrate 13 (shownin FIG. 2). Knob 14 is exposed on top casing 11 in FIG. 3. When point 29to be pressed of left side (display area 28 side) of the upper surface14A of knob 14 is pressed downward, knob 14 tilts to left side withrespect to protrusion 14B against the energising force of ring-shapedflat spring 17. Knob 14 tilts from an original position in FIG. 1 to theposition in FIG. 5 showing a sectional view of the cellular phone alongline P-P in FIG. 3.

[0060] Point 29A corresponding to point 29 is a point of a lower surfaceof ring-shaped protruded section 14D. The protruded section 14D pressesthe upper surface of substrate 16 and bends it downward partially atpoint 29A. Contact point 30 of resistance element layer 18 of lowersurface of substrate 16 partially comes in contact with first conductivelayer 22 for conduction. As a result, an output voltage (voltage VI),which is determined by a resistance value between contact point 30 andlead 18A of resistance element layer 18, is supplied to lead 22A offirst conductive layer 22 and is input to microprocessor 25 in FIG. 4.At that time, an output voltage (voltage VII) is not generated at lead23A of second conductive layer 23.

[0061] When pressure of upper surface 14A of knob 14 is removed, knob 14returns to the substantially vertical position (the original position)in FIG. 1. Contact point 30 of resistance element layer 18 of the lowersurface of substrate 16 is separated from first conductive layer 22 byresilient force of substrate 16 itself.

[0062] When a right side (switch 27 side) of the upper surface 14A ofknob 14 is pressed downward and knob 14 tilts to right, the outputvoltage (voltage VII) generated at lead 23A of second conductive layer23 is supplied and is input to microprocessor 25. At that time, theoutput voltage (voltage VI) is not generated at lead 22A of firstconductive layer 22.

[0063] As shown in a schematic view of FIG. 4, a position of insulatingsection 24A is determined as a base point (0°) and a position ofinsulating section 24B is determined as a middle point (180°). FIG. 6shows a relation between a position of contact point 30 of resistanceelement layer 18 and the output voltage (voltage VI) generated at lead22A of first conductive layer 22 or the output voltage (voltage VII)generated at lead 23A of second conductive layer 23.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, when knob 14 tilts at an angle ranging from0° to 180°, only voltage VI is generated, and when knob 14 tilts at anangle ranging from 180° to 360° in tilt angle, only voltage VII isgenerated. At the base point (0°) and the middle point (180°) which areborders between first conductive layer 22 and second conductive layer23, the position of contact point 30 of resistance element layer 18corresponds to respective electrodes 18C and 18D of leads 18A and 18B.Since the width of electrodes 18C and 18D are wider than those ofinsulating sections 24A and 24B, first conductive layer 22 and secondconductive layer 23 short with good conductors 18C or 18D, and take thesame voltage level. As a result, output voltages VI and VII become 0 Vat the point of 0° and 360° and the output voltage becomes maximum atthe point of 180°.

[0065] The point (lead 22A or lead 23A) generating the output voltage isdetected using the microprocessor which receives the output voltages(voltages VI or VII) and information of magnitude of the output voltageis calculated by the microprocessor, so that a tilt angle of knob 14 canbe recognized.

[0066] Since the multidirectional input device in the present inventionhas a simple structure formed of resistance element layer 18 on thelower surface of flexible insulating substrate 16, first conductivelayer 22, second conductive layer 23 and knob 14, the electronicapparatus is easily downsized. Layer 22 and layer 23 corresponding tolayer 18 are disposed on printed circuit substrate 13 of the electronicapparatus in this structure.

[0067] When knob 14 tilts to a desired position, resistance elementlayer 18 comes in contact with either of first conductive layer 22 orsecond conductive layer 23. At that time, the output voltagecorresponding to contact point 30 is generated, and a tilt angle of knob14 is recognized. The output voltage generated is easily calculatedusing the microprocessor. As a result, the multidirectional input deviceof the present invention is accurate, and resolution of a tilt angle ofknob 14 (resolution of input directions) is high and, conventional partscan be used for elements, e.g., printed circuit substrate 13, top casing11.

[0068] In this example discussed above, resistance element layer 18 ofthe multidirectional input device is described as a layer disposed onindividual flexible insulating substrates 16. FIG. 7 shows an explodedperspective view of an electronic apparatus using a multidirectionalinput device which has a different structure from that of FIG. 2. Movingpoints 26 (switches for various functions) of the multidirectional inputdevice in FIG. 7 are formed collectively on flexible printed circuitsubstrate 31, and resistance element layer 18 of the multidirectionalinput device is also formed on the lower surface of flexible printedcircuit substrate 31. In the cellular phone using the multidirectionalinput device, the number of components and processes can be reduced, andelectrodes 18C and 18D of resistance element layer 18 can be easilywired, so that an inexpensive cellular phone using the multidirectionalinput device is obtainable.

[0069] In this first embodiment, a pair of electrodes 18C and 18D formedon resistance element layer 18 is described. FIG. 8 shows an explodedperspective view of a contact-point of the multidirectional input devicewhich has a different structure from that of FIG. 2. Resistance elementlayer 32 has a pair of electrodes 33C and 33D, and also has a pair ofelectrodes 34C and 34D disposed at different positions from electrodes33C and 33D. As a result, when knob 14 tilts to neighborhoods ofrespective leads, correct directions can be obtained.

[0070] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows. First, the operation of resistance element layer 18 having apair of electrodes 18C and 18D is described with reference to FIG. 9showing a plan view of a contact-point taken along line Q-Q in FIG. 5.When knob 14 tilts, contact point 30 is pressed by ring-shaped protrudedsection 14D of lower surface of knob 14, and becomes wider to a certainextent, where point 30 is a contact point between layer 18 of a lowersurface of substrate 16 and the conductive layer. When knob 14 tiltsalong arrow mark S (a different direction from a neighborhood ofelectrodes 18 C and 18D of layer 18), an output voltage, which isdivided proportionally to resistances of both sides of contact point 30,is generated. The output voltage corresponding to the direction of arrowmark S (tilted direction of knob 14) is obtained.

[0071] When knob 14 tilts to arrow mark T deviated clockwise slightlyfrom electrode 18C, contact point 30 between resistance element layer 18and first conductive layer 22 includes an edge of electrodes 18 C. Atthat time, a voltage of electrodes 18 C (an output voltage determined bya resistance at lead 18A of resistance element layer 18) is supplied asan output voltage (voltage VI) from lead 22A connected to firstconductive layer 22. When knob is tilted to arrow mark T, the outputdirection does not agree with arrow mark T, but agree with electrodes 18C.

[0072] On the other hand, the multidirectional input device in FIG. 8has a pair of electrodes 33C, 33D and a pair of electrodes 34C, 34D onresistance element layer 32 as well as 33A, 33B, 34A and 34B. Leads 33A,33B, 34A and 34B are routed from respective electrodes 33C, 33D, 34C and34D. A DC voltage is applied to a pair of leads 33A and 33B, and thenapplied to a pair of leads 34A and 34B alternately in a short cycleusing the microprocessor. An output voltage between lead 22A of firstconductive layer 22 and lead 23A of second conductive layer 23 isdetected, where the output voltage is synchronized with the short cycle.

[0073]FIG. 10 shows a plan view of an assembled contact-point. Even ifknob 14 tilts along arrow mark U1 or U2, an output voltage of lead 22Aof layer 22 or lead 23A of layer 23 becomes substantially the same asthe voltage divided proportionally to resistances of both sides ofcontact point 35. At that time, a DC voltage is applied between leads34A and 34B, and arrow mark U1 or U2 indicates a neighborhood ofelectrode 33C of resistance element layer 32. The voltage correspondingto the tilt angle is thus obtainable in this example. When knob 14 tiltstoward neighborhoods of leads 33A of resistance element layer 32,resolution of directions becomes higher.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 2

[0074] The second exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 11 shows a sectional viewof an essential part of a cellular phone using a multidirectional inputdevice in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of the same multidirectionalinput device used in the cellular phone.

[0075] The multidirectional input device of the first embodiment hasinsulating spacers 16B between ring-shaped resistance element layer 18on a lower surface of flexible insulating substrate 16 and firstconductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23 on printed circuitsubstrate 13. As a result, parts of layer 18 are spaced from printedcircuit substrate 13 at a given distance (an insulating space). As shownin FIGS. 11 and 12, the multidirectional input device of the secondembodiment has plane conductive plate 36, which is formed of ananisotropic conductor, between layer 18 and first conductive layer 22 orsecond conductive layer 23. Layer 18 is spaced from printed circuitsubstrate 13 at a given distance (an insulating space), so that theresistance element layer shorts with the conductive layer at a pressedpoint.

[0076] Conductive plate 36 is a ring-shaped anisotropic conductorproduced from an anisotropic conductive sheet which has metal particlesarrayed in a rubber substrate thicknesswise. When the anisotropicconductor is pressed thicknesswise, a resistance in the thicknessdirection is reduced, whereby an insulating state (not less than 10 MΩ)changes to a conductive state (not more than a few tens of MΩ) rapidly.

[0077] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows. As shown in FIG. 12, a given voltage is applied between leads18A and 18B of resistance element layer 18 of the lower surface offlexible insulating substrate 16. As shown in a sectional view of FIG.13, when point 29 to be pressed of upper surface 14A of knob 14 ispressed downward, knob 14 tilts to left side with respect to protrusion14B against the energising force of ring-shaped flat spring 17. Point29A corresponding to point 29 is a point of a lower surface ofring-shaped protruded section 14D. Point 29A presses the upper surfaceof substrate 16 and bends it downward partially.

[0078] Contact point 30 of the lower surface of layer 18 of bent part ofsubstrate 16 presses conductive plate 36 partially. A resistance in thethickness direction of a pressed part of conductive plate 36 is reducedrapidly, whereby an insulating state changes to a conductive state.Contact point 30 of layer 18 comes in contact with first conductivelayer 22 beneath conductive plate 36 for conduction. A DC voltageapplied between leads 18A and 18B of resistance element layer 18 isdivided proportionally to resistances of both sides of contact point 30,and is supplied to lead 22A of first conductive layer 22. An outputsignal is supplied to microprocessor 25, and at that time, an outputvoltage of second conductive layer 23 is not generated, which is thesame as that of the first embodiment.

[0079] When pressure of the upper surface 14A of knob 14 is removed,knob 14 returns to the substantially original vertical position byenergising force of flat spring 17. Contact point 30 of resistanceelement layer 18 of the lower surface of substrate 16 returns to theoriginal vertical position by resilient force of substrate 16 per se.The upper surface and the lower surface of conductive plate 36 arerestored to the insulated state.

[0080] One of two kinds of conducting process can be selected using oneof two kinds of anisotropic conductors. One process is illustrated inFIG. 13. When conductive plate 36 is pressed and contracted, aresistance is reduced thicknesswise. Another process is described asfollows. When conductive plate 36 is pressed and feels stimulation ofpressure, a resistance is reduced thicknesswise, but the thickness ofconductive plate 36 per se is kept substantially constant.

[0081] In this embodiment, a given insulating space between resistanceelement layer 18 and first conductive layer 22 or second conductivelayer 23 is positively obtainable, because conductive plate 36 takes aplane shape. Ring of conductive plate 36, resistance element layer 18,first conductive layer 22 and second conductive layer 23 can be smallerthan those in the first embodiment, so that a smaller multidirectionalinput device can be produced. In addition to that, conventional partscan be used for elements, e.g., printed circuit substrate 13 and topcasing 11, thus the electronic apparatus using the multidirectionalinput device can be downsized. The multidirectional input device of thisembodiment can also have two pairs of electrodes on the resistanceelement layer. In that structure, when knob 14 tilts to neighborhoods ofrespective leads, resolutions of directions become higher.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 3

[0082] The third exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0083]FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 15 shows an exploded perspective view of the samemultidirectional input device used in the cellular phone. As shown inFIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a multidirectional input device of this embodimenthas fixed contact 39 on the centers of first conductive layer 22 andsecond conductive layer 23, and has moving contact 40 on the center ofring-shaped resistance element layer 18. First conductive layer 22 andsecond conductive layer 23 shaped in arcs are formed on printed circuitsubstrate 37 having a multi-wiring section. Ring-shaped resistanceelement layer 18 is formed on a lower surface of flexible insulatingsubstrate 38. Fixed contact 39 and moving contact 40 are electricallyindependent of each other, and form switch contact 41. Push switch 43 isdisposed in through-hole 42B, which is punched at a center of knob 42.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 15, fixed contact 39 of switch contact 41 isformed of small-circular central contact 44 and ring-shaped outercontact 45. Central contact 44 is formed of a metal leaf pasted onprinted circuit substrate 37, or conductive ink printed on substrate 37.Outer contact 45 is formed around the central contact 44. As shown inFIG. 16, fixed contact 39 is connected to microprocessor 46 included inthe cellular phone via multi-wiring section (not shown) of printedcircuit substrate 37.

[0085] Moving contact 40 of switch contact 41 is formed of a thinresilient metal substrate formed into a domed shape. Lower rim section40A of moving contact 40 is disposed on outer contact 45. A lowersurface of central convex section 40B is spaced from central contact 44at a given distance using flexible adhesive tape 47, whereby movingcontact 40 is disposed on printed circuit substrate 37. An upper surfaceof central convex section 40B is protruded upward from hole 38A which ispunched at a center of resistance element layer 18 on flexibleinsulating substrate 38.

[0086] Push switch 43 shapes in multistage-disk made of resin, and isretained by through-hole 42B punched at the center of knob 42, and canmove up and down independently of knob 42. An operating section isformed of knob 42 and push switch 43. In an original position, centralprotrusion 43B of a lower surface of push switch 43 comes in contactwith the upper surface of central convex section 40B of moving contact40 via adhesive tape 47, so that upper surface 43A is protruded fromthrough-hole 42B of knob 42. Since peripheral flange 43C pushes up alower surface of knob 42 at a given distance, flat spring 17 disposed ata rim of knob 42 is bent slightly, and knob 42 is thus retainedsubstantially vertical to substrate 37 steady.

[0087] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows.

[0088]FIG. 16 shows a schematic view of the multidirectional inputdevice in accordance with this embodiment. A given voltage is appliedbetween leads 18A and 18B of resistance element layer 18 of the lowersurface of flexible insulating substrate 38. As shown in a sectionalview of FIG. 17, when one point of upper surface 42A of knob 42 ispressed downward, knob 42 tilts to a pressed side with respect tocentral protrusion 43B of a lower surface of push switch 43 retained bythrough-hole 42B. Protruded section 42C from a lower surface of knob 42presses the upper surface of substrate 38 and bends it downwardpartially, whereby resistance element layer 18 of the lower surface ofsubstrate 38 comes in contact with first conductive layer 22 or secondconductive layer 23 for conduction.

[0089] As a result, an output voltage, which is determined by aresistance value between electrode 18C of resistance element layer 18and the contacted point, is supplied from lead 22A of first conductivelayer 22 or lead 23A of second conductive layer 23, and input tomicroprocessor 46.

[0090] When pressure of the upper surface 42A of knob 42 is removed,knob 42 returns to the substantially original vertical position (theoriginal position illustrated in FIG. 14) by energising force of flatspring 17. Resistance element layer 18 of the lower surface of substrate38 is separated from first conductive layer 22 or second conductivelayer 23 by resilient force of substrate 38 itself.

[0091] When knob 42 tilts, protrusion 43B works as a fulcrum, and onlyflat spring 17 disposed at a rim of knob 42 is bent, so that the pushswitch is not operated. Protrusion 43B of the lower surface of pushswitch 43 comes in contact with the upper surface of central convexsection 40B of domed moving contact 40.

[0092] A voltage supplied to microprocessor 46 is calculated bymicroprocessor 46, so that a tilt direction of knob 42 is recognized. Ifthe recognized direction is a desirable direction, it is stored inmicroprocessor 46, and upper surface 43A of push switch 43 at the centerof knob 42 is pressed. FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the statediscussed above. When protrusion 43B of the lower surface of push switch43 pushes central convex section 40B of domed moving contact 40downward, moving contact 40 bows downward resiliently withclick-feeling, and a lower surface of central convex section 40B comesin contact with central contact 44. As a result, outer contact 45 ofswitch contact 41 shorts with central contact 44, and a signal issupplied to microprocessor 46, then finally the direction stored is thusdetermined.

[0093] When pressure of push switch 43 is removed, moving contact 40returns to the original domed shape (the original state illustrated inFIG. 14) by resilient force of contact 40 itself, and switch contact 41also returns to the original OFF state. Since push switch 43 is operatedindependent of knob 42, knob 42 moves downward slightly, but does notpush flexible insulating substrate 38.

[0094] In this embodiment, the multidirectional input device includingthe push switch section with click-feeling, which can supply anothersignal in addition to the recognized signal of tilted knob 42, isobtainable without increasing its size. The another signal is suppliedby pressing push switch 43. Conventional parts can be used for elements,e.g., printed circuit substrate 13 and top casing 11.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 4

[0095] The fourth exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096]FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a cellularphone as an electronic apparatus using a multidirectional input devicein accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 19, a multidirectional input device of thefourth embodiment is different from that of the third embodiment.Section 48 A to be pressed of an upper surface of ring-shaped knob 48 isformed inside ring-shaped protruded section 48C beneath knob 48. Pushswitch 43 is retained in through-hole 48B of a center of knob 48 withslight concentric clearance. The other structure is the same as that ofthe third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, knob 48 is retained inthrough-hole 11A of top casing 11 via ring-shaped flat spring 17.Protruded section 48C is formed on a lower rim surface of flange 48Dwhich is a maximum diameter section of knob 48. Section 48A is placedrather inside from protruded section 48C.

[0098] Fixed contact 39 is formed on a center of first conductive layer50 or second conductive layer 51, and moving contact 40 is formed on acenter of ring-shaped resistance element layer 53. First conductivelayer 50 and second conductive layer 51 shaped in arcs are formed onprinted circuit substrate 49 having a multi-wiring section. Ring-shapedresistance element layer 53 is formed on a lower surface of flexibleinsulating substrate 52. Fixed contact 39 and moving contact 40 areelectrically independent of each other, and form switch contact 41. Pushswitch 43 for operation is disposed in through-hole 48B, which ispunched at a center of knob 48. This is the same structure as that ofthe third embodiment. Diameters of resistance element layer 53, firstconductive layer 50 and second conductive layer 51 of printed circuitsubstrate 49 correspond to those of protruded section 48C of the lowersurface of knob 48.

[0099] Push switch 43 can move up and down independently of knob 48. Atan original position, central protrusion 43B of lower surface of knob 43comes in contact with the upper surface of central convex section 40B ofmoving contact 40, so that the upper surface 43A is protruded fromthrough-hole 48B. Since peripheral flange 43C pushes up a lower surfaceof knob 48 at a given distance, flat spring 17 disposed at a rim of knob48 is bent slightly, and knob 48 is thus retained substantially verticalto substrate 49 steady.

[0100] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows.

[0101] A given voltage is applied between two electrodes (not shown) ofresistance element layer 53 of a lower surface of flexible insulatingsubstrate 52. As shown in FIG. 19, when section 48A of the upper surfaceof knob 48 is pressed downward, knob 48 tilts to left side with respectto central protrusion 43B of lower surface of push switch 43. FIG. 20 isa sectional view showing this state. Protruded section 48C of the lowersurface of knob 48 presses the upper surface of substrate 52 and bendsit downward partially. As a result, resistance element layer 53 of lowersurface of substrate 52 comes in contact with first conductive layer 50or second conductive layer 51 for conduction. An output voltage, whichis determined by a resistance value between contact point 53A and anelectrode (not shown) of resistance element layer 53, is input to amicroprocessor (not shown) via a lead (not shown) of first conductivelayer 50 or that of second conductive layer 51. An output voltage iscalculated by the microprocessor, and a tilt direction of knob 48 isrecognized temporarily.

[0102] As shown in a sectional view of FIG. 21, when knob 48 is pusheddownward further, knob 48 tilts to a right side, where a point ofprotruded section 48C on contact point 53A works as a fulcrum. Pushswitch 43 retained in central through-hole 48B moves downward. Whencentral protrusion 43B pushes central convex section 40B downward,moving contact 40 bows downward resiliently with click-feeling, and alower surface of central convex section 40B comes in contact withcentral contact 44. Protrusion 43B is formed on the lower surface ofpush switch 43. Convex section 40B is a central position of domed movingcontact 40 of switch contact 41.

[0103] As a result, outer contact 45 of switch contact 41 shorts withcentral contact 44, and a signal is supplied to the microprocessor, thenfinally the direction stored temporarily is recognized. The tiltdirection of knob 48 is recognized by the microprocessor. Since pushswitch 43 is retained in through-hole 48B of the center of knob 48 withslight concentric clearance, the push switch is operated exactly withclick-feeling independent of the tilt direction of knob 48.

[0104] When pressure of section 48A of knob 48 is removed, movingcontact 40 returns to the original domed shape by resilient force ofcontact 40 itself. Switch contact 41 returns to an OFF state, and knob48 returns to the substantially original vertical position by energisingforce of flat spring 17. Resistance element layer 53 of the lowersurface of flexible insulating substrate 52 is separated from firstconductive layer 50 or second conductive layer 51 by resilient force ofsubstrate 52 itself. The multidirectional input device returns to theoriginal state of FIG. 19.

[0105] If the direction recognized by the microprocessor is a desirabledirection, the direction is stored in the microprocessor, and uppersurface 43A of push switch 43 at the center of knob 48 is pressed. FIG.22 is a sectional view showing the state discussed above. Whenprotrusion 43B of the lower surface of push switch 43 pushes centralconvex section 40B of domed moving contact 40 downward, moving contact40 bows downward resiliently with click-feeling, and a lower surface ofcentral convex section 40B comes in contact with central contact 44. Asa result, outer contact 45 of switch contact 41 shorts with centralcontact 44, and a signal is supplied to the microprocessor, then thestored direction discussed above is thus determined as the desirabledirection.

[0106] Since push switch 43 is operated independent of knob 48, knob 48moves downward slightly, but does not push flexible insulating substrate52.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 5

[0107] The fifth exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0108]FIG. 23 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 24 shows an exploded perspective view of the same multidirectionalinput device used in the electronic apparatus.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the multidirectional inputdevice of the fifth embodiment is formed of operating section 200 andindividual solderable electronic components 102.

[0110] Electronic component 102 for inputting multi directions is formedof casing 103 housing electronic components and plane substrate 104disposed on casing 103. Casing 103 is made of insulated resin, and planesubstrate 104 is made of plane conductive metal substrate. Flexibleinsulating substrate 105 is disposed above plane substrate 104 at agiven space. Ring-shaped resistance element layer 106 and terminal 107are formed on a lower surface of insulating substrate 105. Terminal 107is formed radially from layer 106 to the perimeter of substrate 105 at90° intervals. Insulating spacer 108 is formed on the lower surface ofinsulating substrate 105 except for layer 106 and terminal 107.

[0111] Resistance element layer 106 has an uniform surface resistance,and a ring-width of layer 106 is uniform. As shown in FIG. 24, layer 106of the lower surface of insulating substrate 105 is hatched for easyidentifying. Substrate 104 is spaced from layer 106 of substrate 105 byinsulating spacer 108 at a given distance.

[0112] Metal cover 109 having aperture 109A covers insulating substrate105, plane substrate 104 and casing 103. Aperture 109A is slightly lagerthan an outer diameter of resistance element layer 106, and correspondsto layer 106. A fixing leg of metal cover 109 is caulked at the bottomof casing 103. Positioning protrusion 103A protruding upward is disposedon casing 103, and extends coaxially through positioning holes 104A,105A and 109C, which are punched on plane substrate 104, insulatingsubstrate 105 and metal cover 109 respectively.

[0113] Respective terminals 107 of resistance element layer 106positioned on casing 103 are fixed to casing 103, and come in contactwith resilient legs 110 protruded upward with a given pressure. As shownin a top view of the casing of FIG. 25, resilient legs 110 are fixed atfour corners of rectangular casing 103. Respective ends of resilientlegs 110 are routed from casing 103 to the outside, and these routedsections form input terminals 110A. Output terminal 111 is incorporatedin plane substrate 104. Output terminal 111 is routed from casing 103 tothe outside and is placed on the same plane as input terminal 110A.Corners of plane substrate 104 corresponding to resilient legs 110 havebeen cut away, so that plane substrate 104 should not come in contactwith resilient legs 110.

[0114] Central contact 112 and outer contact 113, which are used forswitching, are fixed on a center of casing 103. Switching terminal 112Aof central contact 112 and switching terminal 113A of outer contact 113are also routed from casing 103 to the outside, and are placed on thesame plane as input terminal 110A. Domed moving contact 114 formed of athin resilient metal substrate is disposed on outer contact 113. Anupper surface of moving contact 114 and an upper surface of casing 103are rigidly bonded with adhesive tape 115. As a result, moving contact114 is fixed on casing 103, and electrically insulated from planesubstrate 104. A lower surface of a center of moving contact 114 isspaced from central contact 112 at a given distance.

[0115] A diameter of moving contact 114 is smaller than an innerdiameter of a circle of resistance element layer 106, and moving contact114 is placed coaxially in the circle of layer 106. Aperture 104B forpressing is punched on plane substrate 104, and aperture 105B forpressing is punched on insulating substrate 105, where apertures 104Band 105B correspond to the center of moving contact 114.

[0116] Electronic component 102 for inputting multi directions is formedas discussed above. The multidirectional input device includingelectronic component 102 is described hereinafter with reference to FIG.23. As shown in FIG. 23, boss 103B at the bottom of case 103 is insertedin through-hole 120A of printed circuit substrate 120, so thatelectronic component 102 is positioned. Respective terminals 110A, 111,112A and 113A (FIG. 23 shows only output terminal 111) are fixed at agiven position of printed circuit substrate 120 by soldering. Operatingsection 200, which can move vertically and tilt, is disposed onelectronic component 102. Operating section 200 includes ring-shapedprotrusion 202 and central convex section 203. Protrusion 202 is formedon a lower surface of hemisphere section 201. Central convex section 203is formed on the center of protrusion 202, and higher than protrusion202.

[0117] Outer section 205 of operating section 200 is covered withcovering-material 206 (top casing), then ring-shaped protrusion 202 isdisposed above resistance element layer 106 of electronic component 102,and central convex section 203 is disposed above a center of movingcontact 114 of electronic component 102.

[0118] Outer section 205 of operating section 200 and hemisphere section201 are coupled via flared resilient section 207 which is spread towardevery lower direction. Ring-shaped protrusion 202 is spaced frominsulating substrate 105 at a given distance by resilient section 207,and central convex section 203 is spaced from adhesive tape 115 onmoving contact 114.

[0119] Control knob 208 is formed on a central upper side of hemispheresection 201, and protruded from aperture 206A punched oncovering-material 206. As shown in an original state of FIG. 23, a lowersection of aperture 206A is shaped in a hemisphere corresponding tohemisphere section 201, and pushed up by working of resilient section207 when control knob 208 is not operated. Since an upper section ofhemisphere section 201 is connected to the lower section of aperture206A, operating section 200 keeps a neutral position.

[0120] The multidirectional input device of this embodiment is formed asmentioned above. An operation of the multidirectional input device isdescribed as follows. When force, which tilts knob 208 to the left, isapplied to knob 208, left resilient section 207 is bent, and hemispheresection 201 of operating section 200 slantingly rotates along the lowersection of aperture 206A. When operating section 200 rotates at a givenangle, ring-shaped protrusion 202 moves downward and comes in contactwith the surface of insulating substrate 105. As shown in FIG. 26,protrusion 202 pushes insulating substrate 105 downward, and resistanceelement layer 106 comes in contact with plane substrate 104.

[0121] A given voltage is applied between two input terminals 110A ofelectronic component 102, and the voltage is thus applied to resistanceelement layer 106 via two terminals 107 and two resilient legs 110connected to two input terminals 110A.

[0122] Since resilient legs 110 come in contact with terminals 107resiliently with a given pressure, the voltage is applied positively toresistance element layer 106 with little power loss. The first outputvoltage value is detected from output terminal 111 of plane substrate104 in this condition. The first output voltage value is calculated by amicroprocessor, so that two contacted sections between resistanceelement layer 106 and plane substrate 104 are recognized.

[0123] The voltage applied between two input terminals 110A is stoppedand then the given voltage is applied to resistance element layer 106via other two input terminals 110A, which are different from theterminals 110A discussed above, in a short cycle using themicroprocessor. The second output voltage value is detected from outputterminal 111. The second output voltage value is calculated by themicroprocessor, so that two contacted sections between resistanceelement layer 106 and plane substrate 104 are recognized. The positionsrecognized by the first output voltage value and the second outputvoltage value are compared by the microprocessor. An agreed position outof compared position is determined as a position contacted between layer106 and substrate 104, so that the direction input through control knob208 is determined. The electronic apparatus is controlled based on thedirection determined.

[0124] When the force applied to control knob 208 is removed, leftresilient section 207, which is bent as shown in FIG. 26, returns to theoriginal shape. Operating section 200 returns to the neutral positionshown FIG. 23 by restoring force of resilient section 207. In thisembodiment, operating section 200 is tilted to left as mentioned,however, the same working is obtainable when operating section 200 istilted to another direction, because resistance element layer 106 isshaped in a ring. As a result, a tilt direction in any angle (360°) canbe detected.

[0125] Resolution of the first output voltage value and the secondoutput voltage value for determining the contact point is changeable,whereby a resolution of the tilt direction is changeable. When controlknob 208 tilts, moving contact 114 receives the force from centralconvex section 203 of operating section 200, but contact 114 is made ofmaterial which is not deformed by the force, so that a switch is keptremained.

[0126] When force pushing downward is applied to control knob 208,hemisphere section 201 moves downward, and flared resilient section 207bows every direction. A tip of section 203 of a lower section of section201 comes in contact with an upper surface of adhesive tape 115 andpushes moving contact 114 downward. When the force exceeds given force,moving contact 114 bows downwardwith click-feeling. As shown in asectional view of FIG. 27, the lower surface of moving contact 114 comesin contact with central contact 112. Central contact 112 conducts toouter contact 113 electrically, namely, switching terminal 112A conductsto switching terminal 113A electrically (not shown).

[0127] When the force applied to control knob 208 is removed, movingcontact 114 and flared resilient section 207 return to the originalshape. Operating section 200 returns to the neutral position of FIG. 23by restoring force of contact 114 and resilient section 207. When forcepushing downward is applied to control knob 208, protrusion 202 ofoperating section 200 does not come in contact with insulating substrate105. The multidirectional input device and the electronic apparatusincluding the multidirectional input device of this embodiment candetect a tilt directions in any angle (360°) at a high resolution, and aswitching condition is changeable by pushing the operating sectiondownward.

[0128] The electronic apparatus including the multidirectional inputdevice can be controlled using a tilt direction of operating section200. For example, a cursor displayed on a display area can be movedevery direction easily and arbitrarily using this multidirectional inputdevice, so that the electronic apparatus simply operable can beachieved. The electronic apparatus becomes more convenient using theswitch signal as a determining signal obtained by pushing operatingsection 200.

[0129] When section 200 is tilted in one direction for more than a giventime, or tilted frequently in one direction for a given time, acontrolling condition is changeable by clocking a time while section 200is kept tilting. For example, a moving speed of a cursor or an icondisplayed on a display area is changeable. The operation mentioned abovecan be executed easily with one hand, so that the electronic apparatusbecomes more convenient

[0130] The voltage applied to resistance element layer 106 of themultidirectional input device in this embodiment is changed in a givencycle at high speed. Then the clocking time is desirably synchronizedwith the changing timing of the applied voltage and preferably preparedfor an integral multiple of the changing cycle.

[0131] The multidirectional input device, which detect a tilt angle anda pushing condition is formed of electronic component 102, so that thatthe device can be smaller and thinner. The multidirectional input deviceof this embodiment is easy to be operated, and can be mounted togetherwith other components on printed circuit substrate 120. Electroniccomponent 102 discussed above has the switch, but the structure withoutthe switch can be also used.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 6

[0132] The sixth exemplary embodiment is described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0133]FIG. 28 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 29 shows an exploded perspective view of the same multidirectionalinput device.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the multidirectional inputdevice of the sixth embodiment is formed of operating section 200 andindividual electronic components 102 as same as the fifth embodiment. Inthese drawings, the similar elements of the fifth embodiment have thesimilar reference marks, and the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0135] Insulating substrate 304 is fixed on casing 303 made of insulatedresin. Ring-shaped resistance element layer 305 is formed on an uppersurface of insulating substrate 304. Layer 305 has an uniform surfaceresistance, and a ring-width of layer 305 is uniform. As shown in FIG.29, layer 305 is hatched for easy identifying. A terminal (not shown) isformed radially from layer 305 to the perimeter of substrate 304 at 90°intervals, and input terminal 306 connected to the terminal is routedfrom a side of casing 303 to the outside.

[0136] Plane circumference section 307, which is higher than layer 305,is formed on an upper surface of casing 303, and spaced outside fromlayer 305 slightly. Plane substrate 308 made of resilient conductivemetal substrate is disposed on section 307. Plane substrate 308 isspaced from resistance element layer 305 at a given distance by planecircumference section 307. Output terminal 309 is incorporated in planesubstrate 308. Output terminal 309 is routed from casing 303 to theoutside, and is placed on the same plane as input terminal 306.

[0137] Aperture 310A for operation, which is slightly larger than anouter diameter of layer 305, is punched on metal cover 310. Whenaperture 310A corresponds to layer 305, metal cover 310 covers planesubstrate 308 and casing 303. A fixing leg 310A of metal cover 310 iscaulked at the bottom of casing 303, so that plane substrate 308 andcasing 303 are combined. Positioning protrusion 303A protruded upwardfrom casing 303 extends coaxially through positioning holes 308A and310C, which are punched on plane substrate 308 and metal cover 310respectively.

[0138] Ring-shaped internal-section 311 is formed on a center of casing303 and formed inside resistance element layer 305. Central contact 312and outer contact 313 are fixed inside internal-section 311. Switchingterminal 312A of central contact 312 and switching terminal 313A ofouter contact 313 are routed from casing 303 to the outside, and placedon the same plane as other terminals.

[0139] Domed moving contact 314 formed of a thin metal substrate isdisposed on outer contact 313. An upper surface of moving contact 314and an upper surface of casing 303 are rigidly bonded with adhesive tape315. As a result, moving contact 314 is fixed on casing 303, andelectrically insulated from plane substrate 308. A lower surface of acenter of moving contact 314 is spaced from central contact 312 at agiven distance.

[0140] Internal-section 311 is placed on the same plane as planecircumference section 307 on casing 303. An upper surface of adhesivetape 315 is lower than section 311 or section 307, when moving contact314 is rigidly bonded. Aperture 308B for pressing is punched on planesubstrate 308, where apertures 308B corresponds to the center of movingcontact 314.

[0141] Electronic component 302 for inputting multi directions isdescribed hereinafter with reference to FIG. 28. Boss 303B at the bottomof case 303 is inserted in through-hole 120A of printed circuitsubstrate 120, so that electronic component 302 is positioned.Respective terminals 306, 309, 312A and 313A (FIG. 28 shows only outputterminal 309) are fixed at a given position of printed circuit substrate120 by soldering. Operating section 200, which can move vertically andtilt, is disposed above electronic component 302. Operating section 200is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

[0142] An operation of the multidirectional input device is described asfollows. When force, which tilts knob 208 to the left, is applied toknob 208, left resilient section 207 is bent, and hemisphere section 201slantingly rotates. Ring-shaped protrusion 202 moves downward, andpushes plane substrate 308 downward. As shown in FIG. 30, the lowersurface of plane substrate 308 comes in contact with resistance elementlayer 305. In this condition, a given voltage is applied between two ofinput terminals 306 of electronic component 302, so that an outputvoltage value supplied from the contact point of resistance elementlayer 305 is obtainable from output terminal 309 of plane substrate 308.

[0143] A first voltage output from the contact point is calculated by amicroprocessor, so that two contacted sections between resistanceelement layer 305 and plane substrate 308 are recognized. The voltageapplied between two input terminals 306 is stopped and then the givenvoltage is applied to resistance element layer 305 via other two inputterminals 306, which are different from the terminals 306 discussedabove, in a short cycle using the microprocessor. The second outputvoltage value is detected from output terminal 309, and calculated bythe microprocessor, so that two contacted sections between resistanceelement layer 305 and plane substrate 308 are recognized.

[0144] The positions recognized by the first output voltage value andthe second output voltage value are compared by the microprocessor. Anagreed position out of compared position is determined as a positioncontacted between layer 305 and substrate 308, so that the directioninput through control knob 208 is determined. The electronic apparatusis controlled based on the direction determined.

[0145] When control knob 208 tilts, convex section 203 of operatingsection 200 has a structure not pushing moving-contact 314. This is thesame as described in the fifth embodiment.

[0146] When force pushing downward is applied to control knob 208,hemisphere section 201 moves downward, and flared resilient section 207bows. A tip of section 203 of a lower section of section 201 comes incontact with an upper surface of adhesive tape 315 and pushes movingcontact 314 downward. When the force exceeds given force, moving contact314 bows downward with click-feeling. As shown in FIG. 31, the lowersurface of moving contact 314 comes in contact with central contact 312.Central contact 312 conducts to outer contact 313 electrically, namely,switching terminal 312A conducts to switching terminal 313Aelectrically. When control knob 208 is pushed downward, ring-shapedprotrusion 202 of operating section 200 does not come in contact withplane substrate 308.

[0147] The multidirectional input device and the electronic apparatusincluding the multidirectional input device of this embodiment candetect a tilt direction in any angle (360°) of operating section 200 ata high resolution as same as the fifth embodiment. A switching conditionis changeable by pushing the operating section downward so that the highperformance electronic apparatus simply operable can be achieved usingthe signal which is obtained by tilting or pushing the operatingsection.

[0148] In this embodiment, the multidirectional input device except foroperating section 200 are formed of electronic component 302, so thatthe device can be smaller and thinner. The multidirectional input deviceof this embodiment is easy to operate, and can be mounted together withother components on printed circuit substrate 120. In this electroniccomponent 302, parts operated by operating section 200 are formed ofplane substrate 308 made of thin resilient metal substrate, so thatplane substrate 308 is not necessarily to be assembled with operatingsection 200 in high accuracy, and yet all direction of operation can bedetected. Even if the multidirectional input device is operated byoperating section 200 repeatedly, plane substrate 308 can not beelongated or deformed largely, so that a stable operation is obtainablefor a long period. Electronic component 302 discussed above has theswitch, but the structure without the switch can be also used.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 7

[0149] Electronic component 102 of the seventh embodiment is the same asthat of the fifth embodiment, but an operation of this embodimentdiffers from that of the fifth embodiment in the following points.

[0150]FIG. 32 shows a sectional view of an essential part of anelectronic apparatus including a multidirectional input device inaccordance with the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 32, electronic component 102 for inputtingmulti directions is fixed at a given position of printed circuitsubstrate 120 by soldering. Operating section 400 made of resin isformed above electronic component 102, and can move vertically andparallel to printed circuit substrate 120. Operating section 400 isformed of circular controlling section 401 including brim 401A and aplurality of ring-shaped sections 402 formed concentrically outside ofcontrolling section 401. As shown in FIG. 33, controlling section 401 isconnected to ring-shaped sections 402 with bridge 403, and positions ofbridges 403 are different at respective rings of ring-shaped sections402.

[0151] Outermost ring-shaped section 404 is placed insidecovering-material 500. Central convex section 405 of a lower centralsurface of circular controlling section 401 is spaced from a center ofelectronic component 102 at a given distance. Upper section 406 ofcircular controlling section 401 is protruded from aperture 501 ofcovering-material 500.

[0152] A diameter of central convex section 405 of circular controllingsection 401 is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of resistanceelement layer 106. A diameter of brim 401A of circular controllingsection 401 is larger than aperture 501 of covering-material 500. Anupper surface of brim 401A is slidable and comes in contact with a lowersurface of covering-material 500. Conical resilient member 407, whichexpands downward from central convex section 405, is placed beneathcircular controlling section 401. Tip 407A of resilient member 407 comesin contact with an upper surface of insulating substrate 105, and thecontact point is outside ring-shaped resistance element layer 106.

[0153] A diameter of a lower end of conical resilient member 407 islarger than a diameter of layer 106. When operating section 400 is notoperated (it is described as an original condition), tip 407A comes incontact with insulating substrate 105, and tip 407A and resistanceelement layer 106 are concentric. Operating section 400 is energised byupward energising force, i.e., resilient force, of resilient member 407.The upper surface of brim 401A comes in contact with the lower surfaceof covering-material 500, so that a vertical position is determined.

[0154] The multidirectional input device of this embodiment is formed asmentioned above. An operation of the multidirectional input device isdescribed as follows. FIG. 32 shows the original condition in whichoperating section 400 is not operated. Upper section 406 of controllingsection 401 of operating section 400 is slid, namely, section 406 ismoved parallel to printed circuit substrate 120, then an clearancebetween respective ring-shaped sections 402 becomes narrow, where theclearance is a space not connected by bridges 403. Controlling section401 is slid till a side of controlling section 401 comes in contact witha side of aperture 501 of covering-material 500.

[0155] Resilient member 407 also moves in the same direction ascontrolling section 401. As shown in a sectional view of FIG. 34, tip407A of resilient member 407 moves to a position of insulating substrate105 of which lower surface is provided with layer 106 at a placecorresponding to the position on the upper surface. The resilient forceof resilient member 407 pushes insulating substrate 105 downward, sothat a given position of resistance element layer 106 comes in contactwith plane substrate 104. At that time, central convex section 405 ofthe lower surface of operating section 400 does not come in contact withmoving contact 114, whereby a switch is kept remained. In the conditionmentioned above, the detecting method used in this embodiment is thesame as the fifth embodiment, therefore the description is omitted here.In this embodiment, because a direction opposite to an operatingdirection by 180° is detected, the correction is necessary to obtain theright direction.

[0156] When the force, which slides controlling section 401 of operatingsection 400, is removed, ring-shaped sections 402 return to an originalshape, so that the multidirectional input device returns to the originalcondition shown in FIG. 32. When force pushing downward is applied toupper section 406 of controlling section 401 of operating section 400,central bridges 403 between ring-shaped sections 402 is slanteddownward. Then controlling section 401 moves downward, which expandsresilient member 407 outside resiliently, so that resistance elementlayer 106 is not pushed downward. As shown in a sectional view of FIG.35, section 405 of the lower surface of controlling section 401 pushesmoving contact 114, which is placed at a center of electronic component102, via adhesive tape 115, so that the switch is turned ON.

[0157] When the force, which pushes operating section 400 downward, isremoved, moving contact 114 returns to the original shape and the switchis turned OFF. Resilient member 407 also returns to the original shape.Bridges 403 between ring-shaped sections 402 return to the originalshape paralleled to printed circuit substrate 120, so that themultidirectional input device returns to the original condition shown inFIG. 32. At that time, the upper surface of brim 401A of operatingsection 400 comes in contact with the lower surface of covering-material500, and operating section 400 returns to the original position.

[0158] In this embodiment, operating section 400 is slid parallel tosubstrate 120 or pushed downward, and then electronic component 102works. As a result, an exterior shape of the electronic apparatusbecomes thinner than that of the fifth embodiment. A conical member isused as resilient member 407 of this embodiment, but other shapes can beused. For example, the same effect can be obtained using severalarc-shaped resilient members.

[0159] A sliding direction of operating section 400 can be restricted infour directions crossed each other at right angles or eight directionsequiangular. In the case mentioned above, only resilient memberscorresponding to the directions are prepared, and only one of thedirections can be detected by the sliding operation. Electroniccomponent 102 discussed above has the switch, but the structure withoutthe switch can be also used. In this case, aperture 501 ofcovering-material 500 is closed by brim 401A of operating section 400,so that dust-proof effect is improved.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0160] A multidirectional input device of this invention has a simplestructure formed of a ring-shaped resistance element layer, a conductivesection and a knob. As a result, the device is easy to be smaller andthinner, and angle information including a high resolution can beobtained in every operating direction of an operating section.

[0161] Since the multidirectional input device except for the operatingsection is formed of individual electronic components, the device can bemounted together with a circuit board and other components. As a result,an apparatus using the multidirectional input device can be downsized,and manufacturing processes thereof can be reduced.

[0162] This invention has several features as mentioned above, and isapplicable to inputting devices of many kinds of electronic apparatuses,e.g., a cellular phone. Reference numerals in the drawings 11 topcashing 11A through-hole 12 bottom cahing 13, 37, 49, 120 printedcircuit substrate 14, 42, 48 knob 14A, 42A, 43A upper surface 14B, 43Bprotusion 14C, 43C, 48D flange 14D, 42C, 48C protruded section 16, 38,52 flexible insulating substrate 16A spacer 16B, 108 insulating spacer17 flat spring 18, 32, 53, 106, 305 resistance element layer 18A, 18B,22A, 23A, 33A, 33B, 34A, 34B lead 107 terminal 18C, 18D, 33C, 33D, 34C,34D electrode 19A, 19B terminal 20 pressing spring 21A, 21B connectionpoint 22, 50 first conductive layer 23, 51 second conductive layer 24A,24B insulating section 25, 46 microprocessor 29 point to be pressed 29Apoint 30, 35, 53A contact point 31 flexible printed circuit sub- strate36 conductive plate 38A hole 39 fixed contact 40, 114, 314 movingcontact 40A lower rim section 40B central convex section 41 switchcontact 42B, 48B through-hole 43 push switch 44, 112, 312 centralcontact 45, 113, 313 outer contact 47, 115, 315 adhesive tape 48Asection to be pressed 102, 302 electronic component 103, 303 cashing103A, 303A positioning protrusion 103B, 303B boss 104, 308 planesubstrate 104A, 105A, 109C, 308A, 310C positioning hole 104B, 105B, 308Baperture for pressing 105, 304 insulating substrate 109, 310 metal cover109A, 206A, 310A, 501 aperture for operation 109B, 310B fixing leg 110resilient leg 110A, 310B fixing leg 110 resilient leg 110A, 306 inputterminal 111, 309 output terminal 112A, 113A, 312A, 313A switch terminal120A through-hole 200, 400 operating section 201 hemisphere section 202ring-shaped protrusion 203, 405 central convex section 206, 500covering-material 207 resilient section 208 control knob 307 planecircumference section 311 internal section 401 circular controllingsection 401A brim 402 ring-shaped section 403 bridge 404 outermostring-shaped section 406 upper section 407 resilient member 407A tip

1. A multidirectional input device comprising: (a) a ring-shapedresistance element layer formed on an insulating substrate; (b) aconductive section disposed on a plane substrate which is spaced fromsaid resistance element layer at a given insulating space; and (c) anoperating section for bringing said resistance element layer intocontact with said conductive section partially, wherein a voltage isapplied to said resistance element layer, wherein one of the insulatingsubstrate and the plane substrate is pressed using said operatingsection, so that said resistance element layer comes in contact withsaid conductive section partially, wherein a contacted position betweensaid resistance element layer and said conductive section is detectedusing a signal supplied from said conductive section.
 2. Themultidirectional input device of claim 1, wherein the insulatingsubstrate is a flexible insulating substrate, wherein said ring-shapedresistance element layer is formed on a lower surface of the flexibleinsulating substrate, and has a plurality of electrodes at givenpositions, wherein said conductive section is formed of a firstconductive layer and a second conductive layer insulated each other,wherein said operating section has a ring-shaped protruded section and aknob, and the protruded section is spaced from an upper surface of theflexible insulating substrate at a given distance, and the knob is heldto be able to tilt in an arbitrary direction with respect to a center ofa lower surface of said operating section, wherein a voltage is appliedto the plurality of electrodes, wherein when the knob tilts, theprotruded section bends a part of the flexible insulating substrate, sothat said resistance element layer comes in contact with one of thefirst conductive layer and the second conductive layer for conduction,wherein output voltages supplied from respective leads of the firstconductive layer and the second conductive layer are calculated, so thata tilt direction of knob is recognized.
 3. The multidirectional inputdevice of claim 2, wherein said ring-shaped resistance element layer hasan uniform resistivity, and a ring-width of the layer is uniform,wherein the respective plurality of electrodes are placed at anequiangular interval from a center of said ring-shaped resistanceelement layer, wherein the first conductive layer and the secondconductive layer are insulated by insulating sections corresponding tothe plurality of electrodes.
 4. The multidirectional input device ofclaim 2 further comprising: a conductive plate made of anisotropicconductor disposed between said ring-shaped resistance element layer andboth of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer,wherein when the anisotropic conductor is pressed thicknesswise, apressed position of the anisotropic conductor conducts thicknesswise. 5.The multidirectional input device of claim 2 further comprising: a pushswitching section formed of a switch contact and a push switch, whereinthe switch contact is formed of a fixed contact and a resilient domedmoving contact, and the fixed contact is formed of a central contact andan outer contact which is formed around the central contact, and themoving contact insulated is disposed on a center of said resistanceelement layer of the flexible insulating substrate, and a lowercircumference section of the moving contact is disposed on the outercontact, wherein the push switch is held by a through-hole punched at acenter of the knob, and can move up and down independently of the knob,so that an upward moving of the push switch is restricted, and a centerof a lower surface of the push switch comes in contact with an uppersection of the moving contact, wherein the first conductive layer andthe second conductive layer shape in arcs having given widths.
 6. Themultidirectional input device of claim 5, wherein a section to bepressed of an upper surface of the knob is formed inside a ring-shapedprotruded section beneath the knob, wherein the push switch is heldconcentrically in the through-hole of a center of the knob, wherein whenthe section to be pressed of an upper surface of the knob is pushed andthe knob is tilted to a desirable direction, the knob pushes theflexible insulating substrate and the direction of the tilted knob isrecognized, then the push switch pushes the domed moving contact.
 7. Themultidirectional input device of claim 1, wherein the plane substrate ismade of conductive metal substrate functioning as said conductivesection, wherein a number of the plurality of electrodes are not lessthan three, wherein two of the plurality of electrodes are selectedsequentially, and a voltage is applied to the selected two of theplurality of electrodes.
 8. The multidirectional input device of claim7, wherein the plane substrate is formed of the conductive metalsubstrate incorporating an output terminal, and the output terminal isrouted to outside, and the plane substrate is fixed to a casing, whereina conductive resilient leg fixed to the casing comes resiliently incontact with a terminal of said resistance element layer, wherein whensaid resistance element layer partially comes in contact with the planesubstrate by operating said operating section, a voltage is appliedalternately to input terminals of the casing corresponding to theresilient legs, so that the voltage is applied to said resistanceelement layer, and a signal is thus obtained from the output terminal.9. The multidirectional input device of claim 7, wherein, the insulatingsubstrate has input terminals of a plurality of electrodes, and theinput terminals are routed to outside, and the insulating substrate isfixed to the casing, wherein the plane substrate is formed of aresilient metal substrate incorporating an output terminal, wherein whensaid resistance element layer comes in contact with the plane substratepartially by operating said operating section, a voltage is appliedalternately to input terminals of the casing, so that the voltage isapplied to said resistance element layer, and a signal is thus obtainedfrom the output terminal.
 10. The multidirectional input device of claim8 further comprising a switch, wherein the insulating substrate has anaperture corresponding to a center of said resistance element layer,wherein said switch corresponding to the aperture is disposed at a placeon the plane substrate, wherein said operating section operates saidswitch through the aperture.
 11. The multidirectional input device ofclaim 9 further comprising a switch at a center of said resistanceelement layer of the insulating substrate.
 12. An electronic apparatuscomprising: (a) a top casing having a through-hole, and used ascovering-material of said electronic apparatus; and (b) amultidirectional input device including: (b-1) a ring-shaped resistanceelement layer formed on an flexible insulating substrate; (b-2) aconductive section disposed on a plane substrate which is spaced fromsaid resistance element layer at a given insulating space; and (b-3) anoperating section for bringing said resistance element layer intocontact with said conductive section partially, wherein a contactedposition between said resistance element layer and said conductivesection is detected using a signal supplied from said conductivesection.
 13. The electronic apparatus of claim 12, wherein theinsulating substrate is a flexible insulating substrate, wherein saidring-shaped resistance element layer is formed on a lower surface of theflexible insulating substrate, and has a plurality of electrodes atgiven positions, wherein said conductive section is formed of a firstconductive layer and a second conductive layer insulated each other,wherein said operating section has a ring-shaped protruded section and aknob, and the protruded section is spaced from an upper surface of theflexible insulating substrate at a given distance, and the knob is heldto be able to tilt in an arbitrary direction with respect to a center ofa lower surface of said operating section, wherein a voltage is appliedto the plurality of electrodes, wherein when the knob tilts, theprotruded section bends a part of the flexible insulating substrate, sothat said resistance element layer comes in contact with one of thefirst conductive layer and the second conductive layer for conduction.14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plane substrate isa plane printed circuit substrate of said electronic apparatus, whereinan upper surface of the knob is exposed from the through-hole of saidtop casing.
 15. The electronic apparatus of claim 14, wherein theflexible insulating substrate is a flexible printed circuit substratedisposed above the plane printed circuit substrate.
 16. The electronicapparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a resilient body placedbetween a lower surface of a section formed around the through-hole ofsaid top casing and a flange-preventing the knob from coming off-formedof a circumference of the knob, wherein the knob is held substantiallyvertical to the plane substrate steady.
 17. The electronic apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein said multidirectional input device further comprises apush switching section formed of a switch contact and a push switch,wherein the switch contact is formed of a fixed contact and a resilientdomed moving contact, and the fixed contact is formed of a centralcontact and an outer contact which is formed around the central contact,and the moving contact insulated is disposed on a center of saidresistance element layer of the flexible insulating substrate, and alower circumference section of the moving contact is disposed on theouter contact, wherein the push switch is held by the through-holepunched at a center of the knob, and can move up and down independentlyof the knob, so that an upward moving of the push switch is restricted,and a center of a lower surface of the push switch comes in contact withan upper section of the moving contact, wherein the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer shape in arcs having given widths,wherein the plane substrate is a plane printed circuit substrate of saidelectronic apparatus, and formed of the first conductive layer, thesecond conductive layer and the fixed contact of the switch contact,wherein the flexible insulating substrate placed above the printedcircuit substrate further comprises the moving contact of the switchcontact, wherein the knob is exposed from the through-hole of said topcasing, wherein the push switch is held in the through-hole of a centerof the knob.
 18. The electronic apparatus of claim 12, wherein saidoperating section can tilt and slide, and said resistance element layerpartially comes in contact with said conductive section by one oftilting said operating section and sliding said operating section, sothat an operating direction is detected by the signal.
 19. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 18, wherein when said resistance elementlayer partially comes in contact with said conductive section byoperating said operating section, a moving speed of one of a cursor andan icon along a direction corresponding to the contacted point iscontrolled such that the moving speed can change responsive to a resultdetected within a given time.
 20. The electronic apparatus of claim 19,wherein one of when the signal from a substantially identical contactedpoint, at which said resistance element layer partially comes in contactwith said conductive section, is detected two times sequentially andwhen the signal is detected continuously for more than a given time, amoving speed of one of a cursor and an icon along a directioncorresponding to the contacted point is controlled such that the movingspeed can change.
 21. The electronic apparatus of claim 12, wherein saidmultidirectional input device further comprises a switch at a center ofsaid resistance element layer of the insulating substrate, wherein theplane substrate is formed of the conductive metal substrateincorporating an output terminal, and the output terminal is routed tooutside, and the plane substrate is fixed to the casing, wherein aconductive resilient leg fixed to the casing comes resiliently incontact with a terminal of said resistance element layer, wherein theinsulating substrate has an aperture corresponding to a center of saidresistance element layer, wherein a switch corresponding to the apertureis disposed at a place on the plane substrate, wherein a number of theplurality of electrodes is not less than three, wherein said operatingsection can tilt, slide and move downward, so that said resistanceelement layer partially comes in contact with the plane substrate by oneof tilting said operating section and sliding said operating section,and a voltage is applied alternately to input terminals of the casingcorresponding to the resilient legs, the voltage is thus applied to saidresistance element layer, wherein an operating direction is detected bythe signal, so that one of a cursor and an icon moves, then apredetermined item is selected using a switch signal from the switchobtained by pushing said operating section.
 22. The electronic apparatusof claim 21, wherein said multidirectional input device furthercomprises a switch at a center of said resistance element layer of theinsulating substrate.